Good Morning!

Every now and again I arise and this thought goes through my head "I will greet this day with love in my heart". It is from Og Magdino's book The Greatest Salesmen in the World. My brother used to recite the entire series of laws written in the book. As he spent two years in Australia he committed those rules to memory and began each day with them.

The rules, the secret, the admonition is that you are the person you choose to be. The second rule in the book is the rule/law I awakened thinking about. This is the first rule:

Law #1:: I will form good habits and become their slave.

• In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habits. Good habits are the key to all success. Bad habits are the unlocked door to failure. Thus, the first law I will obey, which preceedeth all others is- I will form good habits and become their slave.

Today my old skin has become as dust. I will walk tall among men and they will know me not, for today I am a new man, with a new life.

Each year we are made aware of the secrets of life by well positioned people with well publicized methods. In all actuality the rules don't change. They are simple. They are, simply put, be the person you want to be. It is far easier to say the rule than live it although. It takes being aware of your surroundings and truly taking control of your life.

To read the rest of the rules/laws go here.It may help you take comtrol and see the light at the end of your tunnel.

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Worn out

I am looking forward to tomorrow! I will have the first day to take a deep breath and relax in quite a few. I am going to spend my time reading through Sew Mama Sew! They are doing 30 days of handmade gifts to inspire and delight you. I have already found a few I'm going to try and get done for gifts!

Go take a look and let me know what you're going to do! I'll post pics of what I've chosen tomorrow.

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Another long day

Spent 8-4 today at the sale and then drove to the OC for a lecture. More on that later. I was thinking as I drove about the post about copyright issues. What got me started was stopping by and picking up a hot chocolate and a "krispy bar". Come on. We all know it's a rice krispy square. Why can't we call it that? Because if you do Kellog's wants their share. It's ridiculous, the kind of ridiculous that calls the Superbowl the "big game". We are a nation of nit wits. So on to the real discussion.

Radiohead recently released their album via the internet. Okay so why tonight? Well I read recently that most people are downloading it for free. You see Radiohead decided to let the public decide how much they would pay for the album. You can pay whatever you think the album is worth. Pretty cool. Think it's trash? Pay nothing. Think it's a super hit? Reward them. I applaud their brave foray into the world of independence. It's a great idea.

But back to the report that most people aren't paying for it. I think it is the RIAA that is spawning these stories because it goes against the very grain of what the RIAA wants to control. Radiohead is actually de-bunking the theory that has been reported. They say that the numbers are underreported and that the story is wholly inaccurate. Yes!

Radiohead needs to be supported in this effort to gain control over their music. I think if you've downloaded the album and you like it, maybe you should think of really paying for it. Pay more than you normally would pay. Stand in solidarity with them and against the RIAA. If more people would do this it would let the RIAA know that we're not a bunch of freeloaders wanting to steal from musicians artists and the like. Go out and pay, really pay in an effort to support real artists!

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Phew!

Another art/craft show this weekend. Today was spent setting up and getting the sale going. Still not my genre though. I am selling art and these other vendors are selling kitsch. So the crowd is not quite sure how to take me.

I did do about $100 in sales today, thanks to a good friend mostly, and I am thankful for that. I do hope tomorrow is a better day. Still ife goes on and I am ever grateful that I can use the kiln everyday and produce neat things that people find interesting.

I am grateful for a husband that works in a very stressful job to pay the bills so I can do this. I never am not aware of the sacrifices he makes for me. Thank goodness for good men! I've got one and I am glad I do. He is very supportive and rarely questions my abilities. Never has he told me I do too much and wishes I'd leave it all behind for other things. I know women whose husband are like that and I question their motives.

So tomorrow will find me once again trying to sell my wares. This time closer to home. We'll see what happens. See ya later!

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Going Green

I guess some people are waaaaay behind the curve on this one. I have been looking at all the recent news about going green. It seems to be all the rage. Trendy? Yes. Only I wish it wasn't. Why did it take Al Gore and his cronies to get everyone participating in the game? I don't believe in the global warming fanaticism. I don't by all the bunk about the planet drying up and blowing away. I do believe in God or whatever you want to call the higher power that put us here. I believe that He is in charge and if we are to be exterminated it will be His doing not a bunch of greedy warmongers. I believe we are to be good stewards of the planet, not because it's the in thing to do, but because it's the right thing to do.

I think about my role in society as a whole. Do I really contribute all that much to the spoiling of the planet? I really don't think so. When I compare myself to NASA, well, there is no comparison. I visited JPL on one of their open house days a few years back. There I was standing with a bunch of six graders being lectured on the things we can do to keep the planet healthy. There were the usual lists of carpooling, recycling and all those things we do everyday. A few kids raised their hands to give examples of what they had done to help the planet. I raised my hand and asked just how much exhaust is released into the air every time a rocket is launched by JPL or NASA? They guy could have cut me in half with his glare.

So I ask, what more can I do? I have never used paper towels, I have these really neat tea towels I got from IKEA years ago. They were so cheap, I bout a gazillion of them and still have unopened packages of them. I recycle with the best of them, it's a great way to save for special events! I drive a very small car and have for a long time. I've never smoked. And I live in the desert, and have my thermostat at 80 in the summer. The electric company and the building industry decided to endorse runaway building in SoCal and then come on tv and tell us all we need to conserve. Wait a minute! I didn't approve 70,000 new homes in my valley this year! Don't even begin talking about water consumption.

Where is the responsibility of these major builders, cities, corporations, and users? There is no reason NASA needs to be funded by taxpayers. They should be privatized, and should have to pay the same fees the rest of us do when we use too much of a commodity. I feel the same about JPL, and major corporations. It is time we started holding them responsible and not just all us little guys already doing our part. So the next time Al Gore gets in his old plane that uses more fuel than a new efficient jet would, someone should remind him he needs to do a little more.

So if you need a little help with your own greening start here: Lighter Footstep

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Raspberry Tarts

Raspberry Tarts, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I have been working on setting up new business cards for myself. It was pretty easy deciding to use pictures I had taken, but choosing just one is proving difficult.

I didn't realize when I went last weekend to the show, so many people would ask for my card. Silly me.

So I have chosen to use a few pics to let people see a bit of my work and to mix it up a bit. The raspberry tart is a favorite of mine. I gave my card to one lady and she said she had friends who had a new restaurant. They were looking for someone to photograph some of their food. She's going to pass along my card. Yay.

Here are the others I chose to use:

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Wow, don't play any Prince songs when you're using your video camera!

Not that I play a lot of it anyway, but good grief! Prince is angry at a lady on you tube. She video taped her toddler running and dancing through the house then put it on you tube for her family to enjoy. Something that pretty much half the western world has done, no big deal eh?

Well, she received a nasty email from a company representing the artist formerly known as Prince now known as Prince again, asking her to remove her video from YouTube. Huh? Said woman was confused. The email went on to say that the music in the background of her video was a Prince song and she violated all kinds of copyright laws. (here's comes Interpol now!) YouTube took her video down at the request of the company hired by Prince.

Yes, you read it correctly. Prince, and a few other well known artists, have hired firms to scour the internet hourly, looking for violations such as these. Then the firm goes after you like a rabid dog. It used to be that an artist was kind of happy when they'd here their songs being played and enjoyed by others. Now it seems unless there is a receipt stapled to the front of it, they really hate that you play their music.

There has to be a line drawn in the sand here. It is getting ridiculous. You write a song, you sell enough of those songs to get a platinum record, you get residuals on th sale, on the radio plays and if you happen to sell it to a commercial vendor and they use it to sell cars, tanning lotion or margaritas. I've bought the White Album by the Beatles in vinyl, cassette tape, cd, and another cassette tape because I left one in the sun at the beach. I've bought the same songs (some of them) on greatest hits albums. Oh and I forgot iTunes, yep bought it there too. Just how many times do I have to pay Paul, Ringo and the dead guys estates for the same album. It's worse when you buy and album and it sucks! One good song and the rest is bird cage liner. Still paid for the whole thing.

When Prince or whatever he is calling himself nowadays gets his chonies in a bunch over this family video that maybe 30 people had watched (and probably not even noticed the song in the background) he needs to get a reality check. NOw the video has been viewed by over 200,000 viewers. Wow.

Evidently he is, the mom is suing him in court. Now this should be interesting. I say, if you don't want me playing your music, I won't. There are a lot of other good musicians out there, if you can call Prince that.

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Looked out my window and what did I see?

Fall sky, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Not popcorn popping on the apricot tree! But my favorite sunset skies! In the fall the skies turn to the brilliant oranges and pinks that don't happen any other time of year. Usually we have a few pink and gold streaks and beautiful sunsets, but with the fall come the clouds.

The clouds add a dimension that is so striking, it takes your breath away. The horizon looks to be on fire and then you look up and find cotton candy filling the ceiling!



I can hardly wait for sunset tonight!

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You may have noticed

The button on my sidebar, pledging to buy handmade this season. There are many reasons to shop handmade and most of you probably are aware of them. But for those of you who are waiting for a sale at target of Macy's or your favorite major corporate store, let me tell you why you should buy handmade.

1. Unique-ness. Many artists make one of a kind items. You are more likely to get an exclusive gift when buying handmade. This doesn't even need to be a gift. Take your average welder. They make some amazing things like fences, and gates, and all kinds of things that are unique. It could improve your property values, just by getting something handmade versus that same old white vinyl fence your neighbors have.

1. It improves the community you live in. As you deal with small businesses it helps the greater community. When your independent crafters, artists, jewelers, sign guys get paid, they in turn pay for their mortgage, groceries, tires and other household goods. They also pay for things like education, entertainment, utilities and food. So instead of bypassing the little guy for expediency's sake; take a longer route and by local. It helps the big corporations in the end.

2. It allows creative people to create. There is nothing worse, in my mind, than meeting a talented person and learning they work in an office 8-5 everyday so they can pay the bills. Can you imagine what the Sistine Chapel would look like if Michelangelo had to do accounting for his day job? (not that I have anything against accountants - they need love too!) In order for a creative person to create they need to be paid for what they do, is getting a cheap priced look alike really worth it?

3. Everyone finds their niche. I am not trying to say the creative employment world is for everybody. However, when creating is what speaks to you, and you do it well, should you not be as worthy as the utility company? Or the tax man? or the gardener? If those of us who could support them would factor in our purchases on a timely basis, rather than waiting until the last minute, we would be able to spend the money we wish to and support an artistic person. Take the tax man for instance. You pay $75 to $150 to have your taxes prepared each year. You know you have to do it, so when it is time the money is there. Now, if we would treat our purchasing of gifts or items for our homes in the same way, the money would be available to purchase from independent artists and support the community as a whole.

I hope you get my point. It is not because I am an artist that I am saying this. Yes, it does influence my thinking, but for years I have saved money to do gift spending to go to special shows where artists gather because I wanted the gift to be unique and have greater meaning than a gift I got on sale in a stack of 50. I have also found independent artisans (bricklayers, and stone guys) to add some neat things to the outside of our property and home. My home is unique and it looks good too.

Think about the pruchases you make. Could you be buying handmade and independent more often? I think you could. Go out there and support the arts - your way.

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Back, from the show

Not nearly as good as expected. The people just didn't show up. It could be the fires, and the resultant devastation on the local economy or it could be the fact that the location has changed from a tried and true locale. Either way, there'll be lots up at the sisters site soon!

In other news...

The Terminator, uh er, the Governator was in our fair hamlet yesterday. He was here talking about our ready response airborn fire squadrons. We have been enlisted to help train fire personnel at Camp Pendelton so they can respond quicker when fires break out again. It is great to know they are being trained and will be able to put their planes in the air with ours to fight fires from the sky.

And of course, I've been out to the airport several times when the fires were raging to take photos and watch them fill the planes with Phoschek and then fly away. The governor comes to town and where am I? In a different city, selling my wares! sigh. I do have a pic I snapped of Jerry Brown when he was visiting while governor a long time ago.

All the fires are pretty much out. Santiago still burning a bit. Insurance claims are being filed and denied claims are being issued. What!??? Yes we heard about in the news this morning the first letter went out denying a claim, asking for more information on appeal. Me, I'd send them a picture of my home pre-fire, along with a box of ashes to represent the new home post fire. Need more info now? Creeps. These fires were in world wide news reports, yet the insurance company still needs more info. Incredible.

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Baby got B...

Book???? I got this video from one of my daughter's blogs. It is one funny video! Mostly because I love the original song, Baby Got Back. Cause yes, we've got some junk in the trunk!



Totally sacriligious. But still funny.

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Oh NaBloPoMo!

I cannot believe it is already the first day of November!!!! Tomorrow is the show and I am buried is stuff to sell. It has been a good lead up and I have been able to get a lot of items done. I am a bit worried about running out of stuff, but I guess that's a good worry. I should put up a picture of this year's ornament. It really turned out cute. It has a bit of dichroic glass to give it a good sparkle too.



This is not the final picture. Just one to show all of you how it turned out. There'll be a better picture for the web.

We went to trunk or treat last night at the church. The kids were cute, it made me miss my two little ones. There'll be pics soon of them for me I'm sure. I do know Little Miss decided on Snow White and Mr. Mister was a monkey. I can hardly wait to see the results. When I was in Utah last week, I asked Little miss if we were going to dye her hair black for the event she said No! So we'll have a blonde Snow White. ;-)

The fires are over, now I will wash my car. It is so dirty from ash and soot. I couldn't bring myself to take it last night. Then I drove through Startbucks to get a hot chocolate the other morning and one of the server guys said how much he wanted my car. I had to tell him I was embarrassed because of how dirty it was. Think it needs a bath? Yep! When you apologize to the guy admiring your car because it is dirty, it's time to get to washing it. I don't go to car washes, or even allow anyone else to wash it for me. People just don't know how bad it is to use the wrong cloth or a sponge. It kills your paint job. So I wash it myself and only have myself to blame if it gets swirls. It turns four this month and the paint, other than rock chips (thank you riverside county trucks)! on the hood, looks like new. Not a door ding or jab.
Yes, I'm the obsessive MINI girl.

Looking forward to this month of NaBloPoMo! The posts only get better from here!

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First craft/art sale of the season

This Friday and Saturday I am going to be in Riverside. It is my first craft/art show of the season and it will be held at the Grove Community Church off Trautwein. Friday the show is from 3:30 to 9:30 and Saturday it is from 8:00 to 3:30. I will be selling plates, pendant, earrings and a few other assorted items.

So all you friends, neighbors and stalkers, come on by! There are going to be two large rooms of crafters selling all kinds of items. It should be a great weekend. Come say hi! Click on the picture for a larger view.

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Halloween table

Halloween table, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I found these great ravens when I went to the pumpkin farm. Each of them had been dropped and their necks were cracked. I asked the lady if she was willing to deal in them and she said sure. I asked her what she thought would be a fair price and she said how about $10 for the both of them? Wow. they were $15 each and so to be able to buy them for $10 I was really happy! I took them home and put a bit of fimo around the cracks and now they look good as new!

I've paired them up with my halloween mugs and filled the mugs with m&ms. Fun centerpiece for Halloween.

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Sunset on the fires

Sunset on the fires, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

As the sun was setting this evening I had to go outside and shoot these photos. It is evidence that all is still not well in the neighborhood. Many news reports tell of evacuees returning to their neighborhoods. Well, not all are. Some still have to wait a bit longer. The firefighters are doing their level best, yet the winds and fires still rage on.



The smoke seen above is from the Mt. Palomar fire burning still out of control. I keep thinking of all the wildlife running to and fro, trying to outrun a madman. It is terrible indeed.

Now for my rant. I have seen a bit of criticism of the way these fires were responded to and how they've been fought. Until you've been on the fireline, I suggest you step back a bit and realize what these guys do. The temps in SoCal have been in the high 80s and 90s. Add that to severe winds and heat from flames and a hundred pound protective suit worn while trying to save a strangers property. Sure they signed up for it, but they didn't sign up for the heckling and second guessing. Stop it.

I especially would like to underscore the need to evacuate when told to do so. Many people think it is okay to stay behind and "save" their property. Think again. When you do have to leave in a hurry, you will impede forward progress of firefighters. They'll be having to worry about your safety, pulling them off task of fighting a fire storm to protect you. And then the worst happens. You die. Some poor firefighter has to come upon your charred remains and deal with them. Firefighters are human, they do what they do, put themselves in harms way to save lives. It is emotionally scarring to have to deal with the death of any person. Dead bodies are not fun. They take their toll on the human psyche. Don't ever think that the work these people do is shrugged off as all in a days work. It is not that easy. Stress is a constant companion. Next time you are asked to evacuate, do so. It may actually be the best way to help these guys out.

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By now if you haven't heard...

Dry Mountain, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Southern Cal is under a firestorm, you've been under a rock! The mountain pictured above is an example of the type of fuel we've grown in SoCal for two years without rain. It is ripe for a spark. This mountain separates us from Banning/Beaumont and the road that leads up it was closed for three days because of high winds and no visibility.

Yet, our valley is a little hamlet of no fire in the midst of the storm. We did suffer some damage in the valley from the Santa Anas on Sunday night. Monday, I drove around and found trees felled everywhere. (still looking for the four feet of dirt and soot some have alluded to) Here are some of the pictures:











My first memory of a Santa Ana wind was when I was about six or seven. The entire back fence of our yard blew down during one such storm. This fence was found in the same condition Monday.



Then there was the smoke. The first pic is from yesterday afternoon as the fires in Southern Temecula, Rainbow areas continued to burn. These fires are a good 40 miles from us yet loom ominously overhead reminding all of us it is only a heartbeat away.

This morning:

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It's finished!!!!

And oh so beautiful! I have been following Nicolette's blog for a while now. She has decided to really take the pink theme of Breast Cancer Awareness month to heart.

Nicolette announced on September 30th that her blog had turned pink! She was helping celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month and would be pink throughout the month. But she didn't stop there. She began piecing a quilt and she asked for people to tell her about friends or relatives who were battling the terrible disease. Not only did she want to hear about them, but at the end of the month she would be drawing the name of one of those women. They would receive the quilt!

I have watched the progress of her design. It is beautiful. Nicolette is a graphic designer and has sketched out some beautiful artwork to put on the quilt. Well, yesterday she revealed the finished quilt! Oh my. It is gorgeous!!!!! The little illustrations she made turned out so cute. The quilt is filled with love! Go take a look at it.

(Please note, this post is all about Nicolette and her kind gesture, please ignore the fact that i sent her some fabric to finish it. I am not looking for accolades here at all.)

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Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

I was reading my AdAge email this morning and found a great story. One that should be viral by the end of the day.

"The gap between what girls want and what the marketing community is giving
them has grown so vast that we are now facing a relevancy crisis. Culture is
changing and if the marketing industry is to remain effective we have to
change the methods by which we go about understanding and speaking to
young female customers.

3iying is an all-girl strategic and creative think tank that helps mass-scale brands
become more relevant to girls. 3iying offers one contribution to ending this
gap, but we cannot eliminate the gap alone. New millennium girls reflect a
consumer shift that will lead generations to come. Their mindset cannot be
ignored if we wish to keep our client's brands alive and powerful.
a call for deeper relevance."

These paragraphs are from the Relevancy Report by 3iYing a new marketing firm concerned about how products are being marketed to girls. They are asking for the girls help to get the message to advertisers and corporations on how badly some miss the mark on selling to girls. And they mean girls. Not women. Click on the tv tab and watch a few of the videos girls are making.

They have their own You Tube ~ 3iYing channel and are asking girls to "flip" the ads that are insulting to them into the dustbin and on camera. You then submit your "ad" to 3iYing and they'll let the company and the world know why it is a bad ad.

This is not your mother's er, father's marketing firm. It is run by Heidi Dangelmaier. She hires girls ages 16-23 to work at her firm. Girls that have a talent for the business. Journalism, photography, design, etc. Ms. Dangelmaier has hit the nail on the head with this campaign. Go take a look. You probably have a girl in your life that just might benefit from the campaign. I know I wish that Ms. Dangelmaier had started this firm 20 years ago.

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Splurge vs Save Meme

Last meme for a bit!

S'mee has tagged me for the splurge vs save meme. I will try to see if there are ten things of either I do.

Splurge, hmmmm. Splurge. That's a tough one. I don't splurge a lot. Being the oldest daughter in a poor family, compromise was the word of the day. If I splurge it is usually for the family rather than for me. The only splurge that directly affect me is chocolate. I am a sucker for good chocolate. And yes, I do splurge on it. I have a couple of neat sons-in-law that enjoy the chocolate bug and help me indulge as needed. One specifically goes out of his way to introduce me to the newest and best varieties.

My husband and daughters are better at indulging me than I am. They are the people who "splurge" for me. Such as books I want, my camera and software I use are all courtesy of loving people around me.

If there are other splurges, they would come in the "save" kind of splurge. I splurge on time when looking for savings. It is goofy, but I spend more time looking for "best buys" than I save I am sure.

I saved money when I purchased my car. In California you pay a 2.5 to 5% premium for the pleasure of purchasing my car from a dealer here. I found a dealer in another state, specifically Mini of Manhattan that would sell me the car of my choice without a premium. I researched and found out that shipping it by train to CA would still save me about $1800. Guess who I bought the car from? Mini of Manhattan.

I shop sales, in fact for years I have always said I don't want a lot of money, just enough to take advantage of a sale. That way I feel much better about spending money. So if I see something I know I'll use over time, I'll buy multiples.

I use the internet for most shopping of large ticket items. The internet gives you leverage when negotiating for price. I never shop auction sites, as I believe the prices can be falsely driven up by unscrupulous vendors by way of shills working for them or shipping charges.

Another thing I do is shop shipping rates. It is very important to me to save money on common items. If I can save money online I factor in shipping rates, and then make the decision to buy. Just because it is cheaper in price doesn't always mean you're saving money. You need to factor in shipping, maintenance and overall satisfaction prior to leaving a local vendor in the dust. Price is not always the defining factor is what I am trying to say.

Value. I love value. If I can find something used, in good repair, that is as good as new sometimes. New isn't always better. A good used pre-1986 kitchen-aid mixer is a find! Why? Because in 1986 Whirlpool bought Kitchen-Aid and built in obsolescence. They changed the inside of the mixer to fail sooner. Aaaack!

Those are some of the ways I save. I love to make my own everything. Scrubs from sugar and kosher salts. Grow my own lavender for scented linen sprays and sachets. Detail my own car. And all sorts of other stuff like that!

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6 habits Meme

I almost forgot that Jessica of Lost Button Studio fame tagged me for the 6 habits meme First off, I must share the rules with you.Then I will share 3 habits and 3 facts about me.

The rules:
A. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I am never without a camera. I carry one with me most all the time. My only regret is when I see something that would be a perfect photo, and cannot stop driving to take the photo.
2. I have a habit of making small talk with business owners. Before the end of the chat I will have given them several ways to improve their business. It drives my husband crazy and he says I need to talk to myself on occasion and remind myself how to be successful.
3. I am continually multi-tasking. I have a difficult time doing just one thing at a time. If I am working on a project I will continually stop to make notes for other things or ideas.
4. Fact - I am the oldest living sister and sibling in my family. I have been the "mom" since I was five and took my role seriously. However, as I have aged, I see where I could have done a better job and saved my younger sisters some heartaches. Alas, that is the fate of a child being a parent.
5. The longest I have ever lived anywhere is in the home I live in now. We moved quite a bit in our marriage, but not nearly as much as when I was growing up.
6. All the moving of houses and locations in my childhood served to debilitate me socially. I am better with crowds than one on one. I count my sisters as my dearest friends and my daughters too. When I was 12 I was told that as an adult I would be able to count my true friends on one hand. I thought that was a terrible statistic. It has turned out to be true. I think it is why I am well suited for blogging, as blogging friends have opened my world and helped me with conversations.

I am tagging Nicolette, Jewel, Bean, Bri, and The Pea

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